I always say if I were to move someplace, it would be Oregon. The first time I visited the region was August 1975, to visit a friend who was working in Bend at Black Butte Ranch as a grounds keeper.
Bill had purchased a 65 Mustang convertible and wanted someone to drive it back to Wichita with him. There is just something about the Pacific NW that makes me want to return.
Interesting side note, a friend of Bill's from the ranch was Bruce Faddis. He was an associate golf course superintendent and drove his car up Mt. St. Helens just prior to the eruption of the volcano never to be seen again.
Plants of all kinds grow in Oregon. Fruits, vegetables, bulbs, grass seed and nursery plants provide a living for all sorts of people. On one of my trips, I came across these tall structures made out of telephone poles it seemed with vines growing on them. It was hops growing in the fertile grounds of Oregon, the second largest hop producing state in the United States.
The hop-growing region of the state is exclusively located in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Both the appearance and climate is similar to that of Germany's hop-growing regions, and both are located on the 45th parallel. Hops are a vital aspect to the economy of the Pacific Northwest, producing nearly the entire U.S. supply and greater than 30% of the world's supply.
Well Kansas isn't Oregon, but believe it or not, hops can be grown in our area. They grow best in hardiness zones 5-9, Wichita is zone 6.
Spring will be arriving quickly and Hop Rhizomes will be ready to ship.
One question we receive often is: "What will grow in my climate?"
Listed below are the different rhizomes that we are selling and what climate each variety will grow best in.
Cascade: 4.5-7.0% alpha. Grows well in all climates. Susceptible to aphids.
Centennial: 9.5 -11.5% alpha. Grows well in all climates. Susceptible to downy mildew.
Chinook: 11.0-13.0% alpha. Grows well in dry, hot climates. Does not grow well in moist climates. Susceptible to spider mites. Great ornamental hop.
Columbus: 14.5-15.5% alpha. Grows well in dry hot climates. Vigorous but susceptible to mildew diseases.
Golding: 4.0-5.0% alpha. Grows well in mild, moist climates. Does okay in hot climates.
Liberty: 3.0-5.0% alpha. Mild and spicy with subtle lemon and citrus characteristics. Grows well in mild, moist climates.
Mt. Hood: 4-5% alpha. Hybrid of a Hallertau. Grows well in all climates.
Northern Brewer: 8.0-10.0% alpha. Adequate in temperate climates but has difficulty growing when under heat stress. Susceptible to downy mildew.
Nugget: 12.0-14.0% alpha. Grows well in all climates.
Sterling: 6-8% alpha. Hybrid of Saaz. Grows wells in all climates.
Tettnang: 4.0-5.0% alpha. Grows well in a moderate climate. Suffers a little in hot climates.
Willamette: 4.0-6.0% alpha. Grows well in all climates.
Hops do require space to grow. They need a structure to grow on, not telephone poles like I saw in Oregon though. It's best to plant them early spring for early establishment. Here is a link to our Hop growing information to print off.
We offer bare root rhizomes (roots) for early planting. If you are wanting some of the above hop varieties, let us know and we will reserve them for you. In March, the unsold rhizomes will be potted up and sold as potted plants. Buy now to save and get the varieties you want to make some great home brew.
Keep in mind the 2nd Monday of the month for Drinks on the Acre - DOTA. This month was a lot of fun, with a many home brewers on hand to share what they have brewed. Jeremy also shared Walnut River's Falconers Wheat. Wheat beer is not one that I typically order, but I will order Falconer's when I find it on tap.
